Dr. Michael Barber, who spoke at the event, emphasised the significance of academia in addressing the climate crisis.
The Higher Education System Strengthening Activity of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) sponsored a workshop on the coordination of research on climate resilience.
With the help of this forum, researchers will be better able to collaborate on the interdisciplinary research projects that will improve Pakistan’s capacity for climate adaptation and resilience.
Mr. Yohannes Araya, Deputy Mission Director USAID/Pakistan, presided over the opening session of this three-day workshop. Senior officials in attendance included Ms. Asima Rehman, Acting Director Education for USAID/Pakistan, Dr. Michael Barber from the University of Utah, Dr. Steve Burian from the University of Alabama, Ms. Nadia Rehman from the Planning Commission, and Mr. Nisar Memon from the Water Environment Forum.
Dr. Michael Barber, who spoke at the event, emphasised the significance of academia in addressing the climate crisis. Pakistan is among the top 10 most affected countries, making it particularly susceptible to climate change. In order to support the Pakistani faculty researchers in doing more applied research and collaborating with peers locally and globally to arrive at locally relevant innovative solutions that will make Pakistan more climate resilient, the USAID project is very happy to launch this research coordination network on climate change, he said.
Through teaching, research, and local community service, Pakistan’s higher education sector can play a leading role in inspiring groups and ideas that will aid communities in adapting and developing resilience.
“We are working with partner countries, including Pakistan, to implement emissions reduction measures, transition to renewable energy, and build resilience against the impacts of the climate change,” said Mr. Yohannes Araya, Deputy Mission Director for USAID/Pakistan.
The University of Utah is carrying out the Higher Education System Strengthening Activity, which aids HEC and 16 partner universities in Pakistan in enhancing institutional capacity to advance market-driven education and research in Pakistan.